Haiti covers the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The capital city is Port-au-Prince. The January 12, 2010 earthquake significantly damaged key infrastructure and greatly reduced the capacity of Haiti's medical facilities.
Despite the passage of time, Haiti's infrastructure remains in very poor condition, unable to support normal activity, much less crisis situations. Last year's cholera outbreak - exacerbated by inadequate public sanitation - killed thousands of Haitians, further straining the capacity of medical facilities and personnel and undermining their ability to attend to emergencies.
While the Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services has improved since the earthquake, it is still limited. The Haitian National Police (HNP), with assistance from UN Police (UN Pol), are responsible for keeping peace in Haiti and rendering assistance during times of civil unrest. The level of violent crime in Port-au-Prince, including murder and kidnapping, remains a concern and Haiti is considered a 'critical threat' post for crime.
Haiti Travel Guide
Top Destinations in Haiti
Jacmel, Haiti
Jacmel, (Jakmèl in Kréyòl) is a town in southern Haiti founded in 1698. It is the capital of the department of Sud-Est and has an estimated population of 40,000... more
Malpasse, Haiti
Malpasse is a town in the Croix-des-Bouquets arrondissement, inside the Ouest Department of Haiti. It is located around 18°29′20″N 71°53′1″W / 18.48889°N 71.... more
